The Multi-disciplinary team at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) responsible for the safety and security of this port of entry continue to make strides in the fight against drug trafficking. This, after six people have been arrested for dealing in drugs between 16 February and 13 March 2020, cocaine and heroin worth more than R4 million were confiscated.
In the latest incident, on 13 March 2020, a passenger connecting from Dubai to Namibia was intercepted and cocaine to the estimated value of R1.2 million was found in his luggage. He will be appearing in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Monday, 16 March 2020.
This arrest brings total seven people arrested at the airport in the past four weeks and the seizure of drugs worth more than R4 million in separate incidents. All the arrests made are as the result of the airport’s stringent measures that have been put in place to detect any criminal activity. These continue to yield successes that evidently show the zero tolerance to crime and enhanced efforts to stop criminals that want to utilize this national key point as a thoroughfare for smuggling of drugs, contraband, etc.
The seven people were caught with the drugs in their luggage or wrapped around the body or in some instances the scanners at the airport detected foreign objects in their stomachs and they were found to have swallowed the drugs. The ORTIA Narcotics Detectives team continue to successfully oppose bail in court and all accused will be in detention until the conclusion of their cases.
The team further ensures that water tight cases are presented in court resulting in convictions such as the recent sentencing of three convicted drug traffickers that were arrested at the airport for dealing in drugs.
That is, a 26-year-old Brazilian, Davane Da Silva Nascimento was sentenced for four years imprisonment for dealing in drugs. She was arrested in August of 2018.
While a 58-year-old American, Mendoza Conrado Sanchez was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with an option R50 000. He was also arrested for dealing in drugs in March 2018.
Lastly a 74-year-old Swedish national, Godin Gudrin Viola, was sentenced to 10 years in prison suspended for five years. She was arrested in June 2019.
The public is urged to continue sending crime tip offs on MySAPS App or calling the SAPS Crime Stop number, 08600 10111.
All information received will be treated with confidentiality.
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